Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

Submitted by Heather

Okay, this isn't really a brand new recipe, it's a variation of one I posted already on this site.  My family really loves these pumpkin muffins - they're moist and soft and turn out perfect every time.

I find, though, that for different people in my family, I have to modify them a bit.  The older kids like regular sized muffins with chocolate chips throughout the muffin.  My preschooler loves the mini muffins with mini chocolate chips.  Or maybe I love to give those to him because they fit so perfectly in his little fist, and the small chocolate chips make it so that he doesn't make quite so big a mess.  Then there's Daddy.  He doesn't really like the chocolate chips in the muffins at all.  Weird, I know.

So, years ago I found a streusel recipe and I've been topping these muffins with it ever since.  It's crunchy, has fiber and makes the muffin feel special (but maybe you don't care how the muffin feels).  The best combination, in my opinion, is a regular sized muffin with chocolate chips inside AND streusel topping.  Now everyone is happy!

Here's the link to my favorite pumpkin muffins:
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Streusel Topping:
3 T. flour
1/3 C. brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 C. All-Bran (or you can use crushed bran flakes or even Cracklin' Oat Bran chopped up!)*
3 T. softened butter
1/4 C. chopped pecans (or walnuts if you prefer)

Mix all ingredients until crumbly and divide among muffins before baking.

*The muffins in this picture have streusel with Cracklin' Oat Bran in them.  It's all I had on hand and it worked great.  Chopping the cereal was a bit difficult but the chunks just lent to the crunchiness of the topping.
                          

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